Community: La Providencia Guild sponsors Christmas in July sale

Fans of secondhand shopping found holiday decor and other treasures at bargain prices during the La Providencia Guild Christmas in July Sale at the Children's Hospital Thrift Shop.

A benefactor getting ready to downsize recently donated her household collection of furniture, china and crystal to the thrift shop, said member and past president Sue Ann Gordon. Among the items were Waterford crystal and Italian 24k gold-plated crystal. The special donation inspired members to create a display to showcase the fine tableware, calling it Collector's Corner.

"It shows the best of the best," Gordon said.

But holiday decorations were the main draw and most of those placed on the shelves were gone by the end of the day.

Josefina Castellon, who stops in four times a week, found a holiday-themed kitchen apron.

"You can find inexpensive merchandise that is nice and the sales people are great!" she said.

Regular patrons anxiously anticipate the annual Christmas in July Sale. And this special Saturday was no exception. Between 150 and 200 people came through the shop in the morning and the register line extended back to the office, said Deborah Spang, chairwoman of the thrift shop.

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Member Alicia Katz, who had stopped by, jumped into action and went down the line taking credit card information to keep things moving.

This is Kalayjian's sixth consecutive year participating. She is committed to raising at least $1,000 for pediatric cancer research at Children's Hospital. She is on the Children's Hospital team with her sister, Tanya Kalayjian-Derkarabetian and her husband, Veero Derkarabetian.

During the last five years, Kalayjian has raised more than $4,000 for this cause and last year alone the Children's Hospital team raised more than $100,000. More than 5,000 athletes are expected to participate.